Meridian Trust Bank

This notice is issued by the Financial Supervision Commission (“the Commission”) in accordance with the powers conferred upon it under Section 22 of the Financial Supervision Act 1988.

Meridian Trust Bank

Meridian Bank

www.meridiantrust.net

The Commission issued Public Warnings on 20th May 2003 and 3rd June 2003 regarding a suspectedbogus entity by the name of Meridian Trust Bank, which was falsely claiming to be based in, orassociated with, the Isle of Man. The earlier Public Warnings are available over the Internet at

It will be noted from these earlier warnings that Meridian Trust Bank was claiming to operate from anaddress of 52, Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, however, this address was identified by theCommission as being a car park and no other genuine connection between Meridian Trust Bank andthe Isle of Man could be traced by the Commission. These earlier warnings by the Commission alsoidentified two websites claiming to represent Meridian Trust Bank namely,www.meridiantrustbank.com and www.meridiantrust.com. Neither of these websites are currentlyactive.

The Commission has recently become aware of a new website claiming to represent Meridian TrustBank at www.meridiantrust.net. The website also includes references to the name Meridian Bank.Correspondence seen by the Commission purporting to originate from this entity gives an address forit of 52, Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man UK.

The Commission reiterates its earlier statements regarding Meridian Trust Bank and also extendsthese to Meridian Bank, namely:52, Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man is a car park. No genuine bank is located at this address.

There is no company incorporated on the Isle of Man by the name of Meridian Trust Bank orMeridian Bank. There are no such Business Names registered on the Isle of Man. Neither isregistered as a Foreign Corporation having established a place of business on the Isle of Man.Enquiries conducted by the Commission reveal that the registrant of the URL www.meridiantrust.netis recorded as:Securities and Investment Limited25, Tower Bridge Road,LondonSE1 7TY

The Commission has undertaken a search of the Companies Registry in the United Kingdom and canfind no trace of a company of this name in that jurisdiction.

The Commission has established no genuine links between any of these entities and the Isle of Man.Information passed to the Commission suggests that these entities may be being used in connectionwith “419” advance fee frauds.

Under the circumstances the Commission would strongly urge persons considering dealing with anyof these entities to exercise the greatest possible caution before proceeding, bearing in mind thecontents of this public notice.

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings with the above entities and have concernsshould contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689313 or by email to [email protected]Any persons who consider that they may be the victim of advance fee fraud should contact their localPolice Fraud Unit without delay.